Volume 4 Chapter 35 It's Scary, But...
Near the entrance of the bandits' hideout, their boss is waiting. If we continue forward, we'll inevitably end up in that situation.
"Hey, stop right there!"
Right after receiving an urgent message from Gram, a bandit shouted at us from somewhere.
"You guys came to rescue the prisoners, but too bad! Now, the boss is—ugh!?"
Ignoring his speech, I ran up to the bandits and delivered a front kick to the stomach with all my might. The bandit flew horizontally and rolled on the ground, unconscious and drowning in his own vomit. I muttered "What a pity" in the corner of my heart, but I didn't have any sympathy, nor did I intend to.
""""Hey, wait!?""""
I could hear screams from both enemies and allies, but in the meantime, I relentlessly punched the bandits who appeared before me, making them faint. Anyway, I prioritized knocking out the ones who seemed like they might start talking. Each one of them seemed preoccupied with something they wanted to convey to us, so they were careless. It was easy to overpower them.
After knocking out all the bandits, I said,
"...We haven't heard anything from them. Got it?"
"""How can you be sure!?"""
We couldn't follow instructions we hadn't heard. Therefore, we still didn't know that hostages were being held.
'As usual, this is terrible. It's like something the gangster would do.'
It's fine. Thanks to that, it was easy to subdue them.
"Yukina-sama, is there a problem?"
While receiving lukewarm gazes from our companions, Mikage calmly asked. She was the only one who didn't make a joke earlier.
'Partner, when you messes up, it's usually for a reason. Mikage probably sensed that. It's good to have a subordinate who understands. Otherwise, partner would just be seen as a troublesome person.'
Isn't that a bit harsh to say?!
Setting aside whether I'm a troublesome person, if I simply convey the fact that one of the prisoners has been taken hostage, it becomes a question of how I found out about it.
Seemingly sensing the small doubt in my expression, Mikage looked straight at me.
"It's fine to skip the details. I would never doubt my lord's words. Please speak without hesitation."
Since coming to the royal capital, Kyunei is probably the longest standing companion. But as a mercenary, Mikage undoubtedly has been with me for a long time. That's why she probably realized that I had some means of obtaining information.
Mikage really is an amazing lover for me.
"I don't have much time, so I'll make this brief."
I explained the situation of the advance group conveyed by Gram.
Surprisingly, even though I skipped explaining how I know the situation, no one doubted my words.
"I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me, but we understand that Yukina-san wouldn't say such things just for fun."
"So, what are you planning to do?"
I felt a bit moved by Aina and Kyunei's trust in me. However, now is not the time for sentimental moments.
While explaining, I had one idea in mind.
But whether it was possible depended on Gram's answer.
'Oh, what's this? Why don't you just say what you say?'
In short, summon you to my hand.
But is it possible to do that not just for me, but also by your own will?
'Ohh... I see, I see. Uhuhuhu, it seems like you've come up with something interesting, partner.'
As expected from our long-standing relationship, Gram seemed to instantly understand my intention. An evil-sounding laugh echoed in my head.
"With that expression, it seems like you've come up with something."
Rudel looked excited.
"I'm not sure if it'll please you, but for now, we should be able to create an opening for them... I think."
We won't know for sure until we actually try it, but unfortunately, we don't have time for a deep discussion.
* * *
A bit further ahead, we once again reached the entrance of the hideout.
Mercenaries grouped together ahead, surrounded by bandits. Among them, facing the mercenaries head-on, was a man who stood out with his superior physique and well-equipped gear.
"You've finally arrived, I've been waiting impatiently."
The man smiled with a fierce look on his face like a wild bear when he saw us. In one hand, he held a great sword. In his other arm, he had a well-dressed young girl held tightly as a hostage.
It was exactly the scene that Gram described.
The man who seemed like the boss frowned when he saw that we were armed.
"Jeez, you useless lackeys. I told you to tell them about the hostage and take away their weapons."
Unfortunately, your lackeys passed out before they could tell that information. It was me who did it.
All around, the bandits who had been unconscious and bleeding were lying on the ground. Even though we were skilled mercenaries, we couldn't be reckless with the hostage situation.
'And it's not just that. Among the hostages, that young lady is wearing the most splendid clothes. Probably a noble's daughter.'
When Gram said that, I remembered.
Among the carriages that were robbed by bandits, there should have been a carriage with a noble young lady inside. The guards were all killed, but it seems the young lady's body was not found. It was thought that she might have been kidnapped for ransom, but will she appear here?
'Even if mercenaries manage to get through this situation after accidentally causing the death of the noble lady, it would be troublesome. That's why the boss probably kept the strongest card close at hand.'
Even if he is the boss of rough characters, it doesn't mean he is completely rough inside his head.
In any case, whether the hostage is a commoner or an unknown noble, my actions will not change.
In fact, the fact that they kidnapped an innocent young lady and even held her hostage made me very angry.
"Come on, you guys too! If you care about the hostage's life――"
"Mikage, let's go!"
"Got it!"
I raised my voice, echoing the boss' words. Mikage stared straight at the boss, adjusting her hand on the sheathed katana and stepping forward, ready in a crouch.
Alright, Gram. I've lost count of how many times today, but I'm counting on you again!
'Got it, partner!! Just put everything you've got into it! Leave the rest to me!!'
Receiving his resolute response, I gripped Gram in reverse and swung it high.
"――Stop! The hostage――"
Realizing what I was about to do, one of the advanced team shouted.
But ignoring the voice of restraint, I shouted,
"Go――for itttttt!"
With all my strength, I hurled the black spear toward the boss' head.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)